Thousands of people demonstrated in Bucharest on Wednesday, October 29, to reject the austerity measures implemented by the Romanian government, led by conservative Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. The demonstration, organized by the country's main unions, drew between 15,000 and 20,000 protesters to the government headquarters in Victory Square.
Among those present were education workers, healthcare employees, police officers, forestry workers, and other public sector workers . Their slogans expressed widespread public frustration with the government's fiscal consolidation policies, which include budget cuts, tax increases, and a hiring freeze.
The unions are demanding an increase in the minimum wage, improvements in working conditions, and an overhaul of the pension system . They argue that, far from addressing the deficit, the current measures are weakening labor rights and exacerbating inequality. The banners carried by the protesters called for a decent workday, fair wages, and job protection against the rising cost of living.
The government justifies the measures by citing the need to contain the fiscal deficit, which reached 9.3% of GDP in 2024, the highest figure in the entire European Union . The governing coalition, comprised of social democratic, conservative, centrist forces, and representatives of the Hungarian minority, maintains that the adjustments are essential to stabilize public finances.
One of the most contested measures is the VAT increase , which local analysts say could further exacerbate inflation. In September, the consumer price index stood at around 10% year-on-year, eroding the population's purchasing power, with an estimated loss of 32% over the last three years, according to union data.
In addition to the effects of rising prices , unions are warning of a rapid decline in employment in key sectors. The National Confederation of Unions "Cartel Alfa" denounced the elimination of more than 7,500 jobs in recent months, linked to insolvency and corporate reorganization processes. This would be compounded by an additional reduction of approximately 14,000 jobs in the public sector.
In the education sector, union representatives warned of significant cuts that have impacted teachers and students. According to the Federation of Free Education Unions, the government's decisions are pushing the system toward widespread paralysis, amidst growing social pressure against the current austerity measures.
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Thousands of people protest in Romania against government austerity measures
https://www.telesurtv.net/protestan-rumania-medidas-austeridad/Thousands of people demonstrated in Bucharest on Wednesday, October 29, to reject the austerity measures implemented by the Romanian government, led by conservative Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. The demonstration, organized by the country's main unions, drew between 15,000 and 20,000 protesters to the government headquarters in Victory Square.
Among those present were education workers, healthcare employees, police officers, forestry workers, and other public sector workers . Their slogans expressed widespread public frustration with the government's fiscal consolidation policies, which include budget cuts, tax increases, and a hiring freeze.
The unions are demanding an increase in the minimum wage, improvements in working conditions, and an overhaul of the pension system . They argue that, far from addressing the deficit, the current measures are weakening labor rights and exacerbating inequality. The banners carried by the protesters called for a decent workday, fair wages, and job protection against the rising cost of living.
The government justifies the measures by citing the need to contain the fiscal deficit, which reached 9.3% of GDP in 2024, the highest figure in the entire European Union . The governing coalition, comprised of social democratic, conservative, centrist forces, and representatives of the Hungarian minority, maintains that the adjustments are essential to stabilize public finances.
One of the most contested measures is the VAT increase , which local analysts say could further exacerbate inflation. In September, the consumer price index stood at around 10% year-on-year, eroding the population's purchasing power, with an estimated loss of 32% over the last three years, according to union data.
In addition to the effects of rising prices , unions are warning of a rapid decline in employment in key sectors. The National Confederation of Unions "Cartel Alfa" denounced the elimination of more than 7,500 jobs in recent months, linked to insolvency and corporate reorganization processes. This would be compounded by an additional reduction of approximately 14,000 jobs in the public sector.
In the education sector, union representatives warned of significant cuts that have impacted teachers and students. According to the Federation of Free Education Unions, the government's decisions are pushing the system toward widespread paralysis, amidst growing social pressure against the current austerity measures.